Ordinance review committee delivers broad package; sign rules, snow removal and food trucks singled out for next steps

The ordinance-review committee presented its final package to the council on Dec. 18 after a year of work and public outreach. Chair Councilor Dubs said the special committee — convened pursuant to Northampton’s charter requirements for periodic code review — held 17 virtual meetings, three public forums and solicited input from city departments, downtown business owners and residents.

Exhibit A lists ordinance proposals recommended for adoption, revision or rescission; the committee emphasized an update of the sign ordinance after a solicitor’s review found parts out of step with recent Supreme Court precedents. Exhibit B contains topics recommended for further study, led by transportation and parking or other commissions; notable items for deeper review include snow-and-ice removal enforcement and curb-cut management, and mobile food-vendor rules to support downtown activity while protecting brick-and-mortar businesses.

Committee members and department staff described a mix of housekeeping and substantive changes, including gender-neutral language cleanups and zoning clarifications alongside policy items with broader community impact. Several councilors praised the committee’s thorough process and urged the next council to convert the recommendations into actionable ordinance language. The report and exhibits will be transmitted to the incoming council for consideration and next-term work.